A new $2.2 million warehouse, named Warehouse Tolu, has been inaugurated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Labasa Divisional Hospital, aimed at bolstering medical supply distribution throughout Fiji’s Northern Division. The facility was funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and is designed to tackle healthcare supply challenges that were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Rabuka emphasized that Warehouse Tolu will serve as a vital distribution center for medical supplies across the three provinces of the Northern Division. The facility is expected to improve access to essential medicines and healthcare resources for 65 healthcare facilities in the region, including 11 in Bua province, 25 in Macuata, 19 in Cakaudrove, and 10 in Taveuni.
Spanning 25m x 20m, Warehouse Tolu complies with Fiji’s Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services building standards. It will stock essential items such as outpatient medicines, family planning consumables, laboratory reagents, vaccines, and biomedical equipment. This initiative aims to support health efforts concerning non-communicable diseases, HIV, tuberculosis, and rheumatic heart disease.
Japanese Ambassador Rokuichiro Michi conveyed Japan’s dedication to deepening collaboration with Fiji, showcasing the warehouse as a forward-thinking investment in the nation’s healthcare future. This facility not only addresses past healthcare supply inadequacies but also positions communities to have timely access to vital medical resources.
Warehouse Tolu complements broader healthcare infrastructure improvements, such as the recent health facility opened in Dago, Nananu, Tailevu, which serves approximately 8,000 residents. Together, these initiatives represent a unified effort aimed at enhancing healthcare in Fiji, projecting a positive outlook for improved health outcomes and increased resilience against future public health challenges.
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